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When luxury river cruising meets a touring specialist

As cruising continues its global domination (*plays dramatic music*), land tour operators are increasingly turning to cruise lines to add more at-sea options to their itineraries and brochures.

As cruising continues its global domination (*plays dramatic music*), land tour operators are increasingly turning to cruise lines to add more at-sea options to their itineraries and brochures.

The cross-over between land and sea is nothing new, with lines like Celebrity Cruises, Hurtigruten and Holland America appearing regularly in various land programs.

But now, Insight Vacations and Uniworld, are taking that relationship one step further by launching their first joint brochure.

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Featuring eight holidays, each itinerary combines Uniworld’s specialty in river cruising with Insight Vacations’ escorted journeys to offer new options throughout Europe and Egypt.

According to Insight Vacations’ CEO, John Boulding, the new brochure is an extension to their existing relationship, which saw the pair co-operate previous tours.

He also said its a win-win with agents and consumers, who will have their land and cruise options all taken care of.

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“By brochuring the holidays together, travellers are able to see at a glance the outstanding value, best in luxury travel experiences and passion for travel that both Uniworld and Insight Vacations offer.”

John Boulding, Insight Vacations CEO

The eight holidays are the 17-day Portugal and the Douro; 16-day Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Rhine; 15-day Switzerland and the Rhine; 16-day Bohemia and the Danube; 22-day Eastern Europe and the Danube; 15-day Gems of Italy and the River Po; 21-day La Serenissima; and the seven to 12-day Egypt Tosca itineraries.

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Each holiday will see travellers enjoy scenic hotels and business class legroom as they tour their way around Asia and Europe before hopping on one of Uniworld’s high-end, all-inclusive river vessels where everything is handpicked to create a truly unique environment.

For example, the 17-day Portugal tour from Lisbon to Porto, lets guests wander through cobblestone villages, medieval castles, fascinating history and idyllic scenery as they experience the depth and breadth of the region by road and boutique river cruise ship.

There’s also the 16-day Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Rhine holiday from Brussels to Basel blending medieval belfries with modern art, guests move on to Luxembourg and its fairytale capital, before bracing themselves for lively Amsterdam with its 17th century architecture and hip cafés. The journey culminates with a cruise along the legendary Rhine River, dotted with quaint villages, vineyards and historic castles.

Uniworld CEO Guy Young said guests can simply pick their chosen holiday from the collection and let both Insight Vacations and Uniworld take care of the rest.

Do you think more cruise and land operators need to work together?